I think the gentry will soon come out. I cannot
say more by such a conveyance.

LETTER LVI.

Victory, October 13, 1804.

MY DEAREST EMMA,

The dreadful effects of the yellow fever, at Gibraltar,
and many parts of Spain, will naturally give you much
uneasiness; till you hear that, thank God, we are
entirely free from it, and in the most perfect health,
not one man being ill in the fleet. The cold weather
will, I hope, cure the disorder.

Whilst I am writing this letter, a cutter is arrived
from England with strong indications of a Spanish
war.

I hope, from my heart, that it will not prove one.
But, however that is, my die is cast; and, long before
this time, I expect, another Admiral is far on his
way to supersede me. Lord Keith, I think a very
likely man.

I should, for your sake, and for many of our friends,
have liked an odd hundred thousand pounds; but, never
mind. If they give me the choice of staying a
few months longer, it will be very handsome; and,
for the sake of others, we would give up, my dear Emma,
very much of our own felicity. If they do not,
we shall be happy with each other, and with dear Horatia.

The cutter returns with my answers directly; therefore,
my own Emma, you must only fancy all my thoughts and
feelings towards you. They are every thing which
a fond heart can fancy.

I have not a moment; I am writing and signing orders,
whilst I am writing to my own Emma.

My life, my soul, God in Heaven bless you!

Your letter is September 16th, your last is August
27th.

I have not made myself understood, about Mrs. Bolton’s
money. You give away too much.

Kiss our dear Horatia a thousand times, for your own
faithful Nelson.
I send two hundred pounds, keep it for your own pocket
money.

You must tell Davison, and Haslewood, that I cannot
answer their letters. Linton cannot be fixed;
but you will know whether I come home, or stay, from
Mr. Marsden.

God bless you!

Tell my brother, that I have made Mr. Yonge a Lieutenant,
into the
Sea-horse frigate, Captain Boyle.

Once more, God bless my dearest Emma!

----------

Write your name on the back of the bill, if you send
any person for the money.

I have scrawled three lines to Davison, that he should
not think I neglected him in his confinement.

I have received the inclosed from Allen. Can
we assist the poor foolish man with a character?

LETTER LVII.

Victory, November 23,1804.

As all our communication with Spain is at an end,
I can now only expect to hear from my own dear Emma
by the very slow mode of Admiralty vessels, and it
is now more than two months since the John Bull sailed.